head. Th e judge must look beyond the head to the body, legs, etc. Once the head has been examined the judge needs to see that there is more to the dog than that. Th e body and legs must be equally sound and correctly proportioned. Th e standard says “the proportion should be slightly longer than tall’. However, there are no measurements or directions as to where to measure to or from. It is not a short legged or a cobby dog. Th ere is how- ever a disqualification on height. If mea- sured at the withers over 12 inches is a DQ but if the dog measures over 11 inches it is a fault. Th is is one of the two disqualifica- tions we have. Now place your hands close to the neck and you can feel if the dog has neck. Th e head does not sit on the shoulders. He should hold his head regally. Once the head has been examined the judge needs to see that there is more to the dog than that. Th e body and legs must be equally sound and correctly proportioned. Next, step to the side of the dog and use your hands to check the topline. Th is should be per- fectly level. And be sure to lift the tail o ff the topline so as to really see it. Check the body for soundness such as rib cage, etc. Th en we approach the rear structure where we find the tail. Th e tail is not low set, instead it should be set high and held up in a large arch over the back. Our description is “like a teacup handle”. It should never lie flat on the back nor stand straight up like a flag. ( Th at is exactly what we call it, a flag tail.) Some puppies get too excited in the ring and the tail may flag a bit, but they should not carry it that way as an adult. Next you need to go down over the rear legs feeling the muscle tone and the angu- lation. Remember to check testicles on the males. Th e legs should be fine-boned not heavy. As with most other breeds you check the stance of the hocks, neither in nor out. Th en go forward to the front legs and look for the same fine bone. Shoulders
should be well developed so that the dog may move freely. Front legs should not be lifted as they move. Feet on all four legs should be elongated or hare-like. Too many are trimmed to look like cat feet. Dewclaws on rear must be removed. Front dewclaws are optional. Ask the handler to then take the dog down and back. Th is is a critical part of judging Papillons. Th ey have exquisite movement that in the standard is defined as light, dainty and of lively action. Th e behavioral characteristic that typifies the Papillon in the ring is the alert attitude and rapt attention displayed while show- ing. Th is and the lively movement have always made this breed a real “showdog” both in the conformation ring and obedi- ence ring. Th ey are lovable, adoring com- panions and will do anything for their owners and handlers. One of the biggest misconceptions about the Papillon is that it is a cute little flu ff ball like the Pomeranian. Not so! Th e coat of the Papillon is silky and lies flat. It is a single coat and you need to be able to identify it. A simple movement on your part will do this for you. Put your hands on both sides of the body and lift up the coat, let go and it should drop right down flat to the sides. A double coat will stand out. A Papillon does not carry a heavy coat or long and trailing in the rear and under- neath the body. Many judges will not put up a dog without a lot of coat. Bitches in season will particularly have a di ffi cult time growing a long coat since they drop it every six months after being in heat. I find that when I am showing my less than nor- mal coated bitch I have judges comment that they really can see the structure. Th ey understand. Th is is one problem in special- ing a CH Bitch. Our breed has an attribute in that the coat is literally wash and wear as it dries in an instant. In an emergency you can bathe the dog an hour before going into the ring
and with a little help from a dryer he will be ready. You as a judge can feel this silky texture when checking the coat. Finally we come to color. Th ey are parti-colored or basically white with patches of color. Among the colors there is no preference except to the breeder. I like my red/sables over any other color because that is the color I began with. Th e color must cover both ears and extend from the ears to cover the eyes. If it does not we call it a mismark and should not be shown. I find no reasoning in the past history of the Papillon in spec- ifying color placement. Nor is there any indication for the need to have a white blaze and nose band, just decisions of the majority at the time when proposing the standard. I find that judges are not overly critical on these points. Good! I would rather have a judge be judging more on structure and soundness than color. Th ere is a disqualification for an all-white dog. Th ere have been some whelped but have been placed as pets. Just remember the butterfly look, the light and lively movement when you go out and judge my breed. Have fun, as they are delight- ful little dogs with great personalities.
BIO Arlene Czech has bred Papillons for almost 60 years and been judging for 46. She bow judges all Toys, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups, BIS and Juniors.
References: 1. Baron Albert Houtart,”Les Epagneuls Naims Continentraux” 2. L’ABOI,(Belgium Kennel Monthly), various issues 3. The Hon. Mrs. Neville Lytton,”Toy Dogs and Their Ancestors” 4. Ada Milner, “Les Chiens d’Agrement” 5. Josephine Z. Rine,”Toy Dogs” 6. Isabel Rademacher, “The Butterfly of the Fandcy” With forward by Robert Leighton 7. Hutchinson’s “Dog Encyclopaedia” by Arlene Czech
“THE COAT OF THE PAPILLON IS SILKY AND LIES FLAT. It is a single coat and you need to be able to identify it.”
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